Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. His parents were very poor. When he was seven years old his parents moved to Indiana. (He educated himself. Whenever he came in from work he read a book. He read the Bible, Æsop's Fables, Robinson Crusoe and other books). He loved his mother very dearly. She died when he was very young. Her last words to him were: "Try to live as I have taught you and to love your Heavenly Father."
Many years after he said, "All I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."
The first act will be Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks coming in from work.
Hanks: Gee, I am tired, aren't you?
Lincoln: Yes. (Goes to cupboard, takes bread to eat, picks up book and begins to read).
Hanks: (Gets bread and lies down). What you reading?
Lincoln: O, a story of George Washington.
Hanks: Tell us about him.
Lincoln: After a while.
Hanks: All you do is to read and cipher anyway. I am going to take a nap.
End of Act I.
Abraham Lincoln went on a flat boat down the Mississippi. The boat was laden with supplies to sell at New Orleans. While in New Orleans Lincoln visited a slave auction. After having seen this auction, Lincoln was very much more opposed to slavery.
The next act will be Abraham Lincoln at the Slave auction. (Auctioneer and slaves. Sells several slaves. Class bid and carry on auction, etc.)
(At end of auction, auctioneer says:)
Auctioneer: Rest of these slaves to be sold tomorrow. Gentlemen be sure to come.
(Lincoln and Hanks talk.)
Hanks: Well, well. Abe Lincoln what do you think of that?
Lincoln: I think it is terrible. If I ever get a chance to hit that thing, I'll hit it and I'll hit it hard.
Hanks: I don't blame you.
End of Act II.
After Lincoln came back from his voyage down the Mississippi, and the Blackhawk War, he ran for the State Legislature, but was defeated. A little later he ran again and this time he won. He said to a friend: "Did you vote for me?" His friend said, "I did." "Then," said Lincoln, "you must loan me two hundred dollars;" for Lincoln needed a new suit of clothes and stage coach fare to the Capital. Later he was sent to Congress and sometime later he was spoken of for President.
The next act will be Lincoln waiting in a newspaper office in Springfield for news of his nomination.
(Newspaper office. Lincoln and several men talking and walking around room. Among them Hanks.)
Lincoln: I wonder who got the nomination.
Exclamations: You got it Abe! Sure you got it! Hope Seward didn't get it! Oh! there is no chance, Abe has it I know! Sure, Sure.
(Enter man in great excitement).
Gentlemen, there has been a nomination. (People in office crowd around him and talk). Mr. Seward (disappointment on faces of Lincoln and men) Mr. Seward is the second name on the list. (Jumps upon chair and exclaims). Three cheers for Abraham Lincoln, the next president of the United States.
End of Act III.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President. Soon after war broke out between the North and the South. Lincoln declared that the war was not to free the slaves but to save the Union. Lincoln soon saw that it was time to free the slaves, so he signed the Proclamation of Emancipation.
This act linked the name of Lincoln with one of the greatest acts in history.
The last act will be President Lincoln signing the Proclamation of Emancipation.
(Lincoln sits at desk. Two men are showing him papers. One enters and says: "Mr. Lincoln, here is Mr. Seward with the Proclamation." Enter Seward and several others.)
Mr. Seward: I have brought you the Proclamation to sign, Mr. President.
(Lincoln takes paper, reads it over, takes up pen, tries to write, drops pen several times.)
Mr. Seward: What is the matter, Mr. Lincoln?
Mr. Lincoln: I have been shaking hands since nine o'clock this morning and my right hand is almost paralyzed. If my name ever goes down into history it will be for this act and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles as I sign this document, the ones who examine it will say—he hesitated.